New graduate qualifications offered by distance learning at the Open Polytechnic will give primary school teachers the skills to inspire children to engage in the world of science.

The Graduate Certificate in Primary Science Teaching (Curriculum) and the Graduate Diploma in Primary Science Teaching are now open for enrolment for Trimester 1, 2012 for practising teachers. The Graduate Certificate in Primary Teaching (Leadership) will open for enrolment in Trimester 2 next year.

Open Polytechnic Chief Executive, Dr Caroline Seelig, says the new qualifications will help the Government achieve their goal of increasing engagement in the sciences in the classroom.

“Primary school teachers who have the ability to confidently and enthusiastically share their knowledge of the sciences with their young students are in big demand as part of the Government’s commitment to increase the focus on science teaching in the classroom.

“The younger we can engage and inspire children to investigate the world of science, the more likely we are to see more New Zealanders choosing science as their future careers,” says Dr Seelig.

The Open Polytechnic consulted key science leaders when developing the qualifications including the Royal Society, the New Zealand Society of Science Educators, as well as the New Zealand Teachers Council.

All of the courses are taught by distance learning, meaning teachers can fit their learning around their other commitments. The courses are delivered online and make extensive use of video and online quizzes to reinforce key learning materials.

The Open Polytechnic is New Zealand’s specialist provider of distance learning and one of the largest polytechnics in the country. Each year the Open Polytechnic enrols around 29,000 mainly adult learners who are fitting their studies in around work and other commitments to upskill themselves for current or future careers.